By FrontNaija News Desk | Source: VOA News
In a landmark development that reshapes the political landscape of West Africa, Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, has formally exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This decisive move, which was finalized in 2025, marks the culmination of months of tension between the military-led governments of the three Sahel nations and the regional bloc.
According to a report by Voice of America (VOA), the West African economic and political union confirmed the withdrawal of the three countries after their respective juntas announced plans to leave earlier this year. The trio had accused ECOWAS of bias, lack of support in combating terrorism, and undue external influence, especially following their military takeovers.
The coordinated withdrawal also cements the growing alliance among the three nations, who have formed a new security and economic pact known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This bloc aims to strengthen mutual defense strategies and foster sovereign decision-making independent of Western or ECOWAS pressures.
The geopolitical shift is not without consequences. Economists warn that exiting ECOWAS could impact trade, migration, and regional integration. However, leaders in Niamey, Bamako, and Ouagadougou insist that this is a necessary step toward self-determination, regional solidarity, and a future shaped on their own terms.
Observers believe this realignment could deepen the Sahel’s growing ties with non-Western powers such as Russia, while further straining relations with the European Union and United States, both of which have voiced concerns about democratic backsliding and human rights issues.
What’s Next?
With the ECOWAS chapter now closed, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are likely to pursue stronger bilateral and multilateral partnerships outside the traditional West African framework. The AES could evolve into a powerful regional bloc with its own institutions, currency policies, and defense systems — changing the face of African unity as we know it.
Source: VOA News
